It is well known that when teenagers have a problem, they will talk to their peers before talking to an adult. Scarborough High School’s Natural Helper program is based on this understanding and provides training to students selected by their peers as someone they can trust.

The Day One Natural Helpers of Maine program was established in 1985 and continues on today throughout the state in various high schools. In Scarborough, six students from each grade are selected during their sophomore year as students with whom their peers would feel comfortable talking about a problem.

“It is based on the understanding that the best way to assist teens in developing positive behaviors is to ask other teens to provide that assistance,” said Molly Montgomery, the program’s advisor and a substance abuse counselor at Scarborough High. “It is a prevention program rooted in the natural network of teens helping teens that exists in every school.”

The selection is a rigorous process that starts with a vote by the members of the sophomore class. With additional teacher input, six students – three boys and three girls – are selected from the initial group.

After being selected, all members attend a one-day training retreat. The retreat trains the students in listening skills and how to identify “red flag” issues that must be brought to an adult for assistance. It also allows the new natural helpers to bond with the existing group.

“Natural helpers gain valuable experience in learning how to listen well and provide appropriate help to students and peers in distress,” Montgomery said. “They have the opportunity to form positive relationships with adults in the building.”

Jill Keimach, a junior at Scarborough and one of the natural helpers, agrees that listening is the most valuable skill she has learned and used through her work. Simply by listening, she knows that she can make a positive difference in someone’s life.

At the retreats she has also taken a variety of classes on such topics as alcohol and other drugs, stress reduction, and grief and suicide, all of which have been highly educational.

“The group also sponsors school-wide activities with the goal of promoting healthy choices and a positive school climate,” Montgomery said. Activities include hug days, yoga night, mentoring middle schools students, and assisting new students. This is in addition to individual peer to peer assistance.

Keimach has sat at lunch with peers who have no one else to sit with and said hello in the hallway to those whom she does not know. She strives to be accessible and open.

“I have always been a very compassionate person,” Kemich said, “but ever since I became a member of natural helpers I feel like it is something that will stay with me forever.”

Natural helpers has even inspired her to potentially pursue a career that involves providing support for others.

“Ever since the very start of natural helpers I have felt like people have come to me numerous times, not as a student therapist, but just as a friend,” she said.

“It’s great helping peers feel like they’re welcome at their own school,” Kemich said. “Nobody should ever feel otherwise.”

Ali Pelczar is a junior at Scarborough High School.